Geert It only remains for us to complete our Summary of the year's occartences, by sketching various matters of general interest which it may be inter resting and usefal to refer to hereafter, though they may not possess present importance. It would be difficalt, for example, to compile a very lively history of the Mixed Court, because the record is one of almost unqualified disappointment. No very brilliant success was expected, daring the first year of its existence, by any one who knew what difficulties had to be overcome. The mere recognition of the principle was thought to be much, and it was hoped that the ability and energy of our Consular representatives would gradually raise the Court to a usefal status. But the result has been completely opposite. The Mixed Court has sunk rather than risen, both in point of usefulness and esteem; and has become fa bye-word instend of a respected and trusted referee for disputants, Complaint was rife enough, in its early days; but it is immeasurably more rife now. Delay used to be a common subject for growl; but procrastination has now become so habitual, that people are beginning to look ona case Inid before it asa matter of hopeless form, which they owe it to themselves to go through, bat which is likely to prove traitless, through the dead weight of inanition and partiality which crushes the institution. We might refer to many suits, which have dragged their slow length along,—throagh months of twaddle and delay, in the face of clear evidence on the one side and palpable evasion on the other, which would, in any European Court, have led to summary and decisive settlement. Much was hoped from Chen, as an honest and well-disposed magistrate; but he evidently has not the necessary power and weight to enforce sentences—even if suits were pushed energetically toa conclusion, We can only hope for an early and complete change in the powers and constitation of the Court, In other respects, our local instit tions will bear very favourable cri cism, and the relations between foreigners and Chinese have been satisfactory. An attack made on some foreigners at Pootung, in the early part of the year; and an assault on a gentleman and his wife near the South Gate of the city, caused some excitement at the time. Bat, though disagreeable, they were isolated instances of trouble; and the general bearing of the country-people towards sportsmen, who wander over their fields, has been friendly. Piracy has become more rife in our neighborhood; several robberies having been effected in the immediate neighborhood of, and even within the mouth of, the Yangtsze. Itis said that to their attempt to change the names of the Babbling Well and Sinza roads, and to confirm, by means of sign pets, the unwelcome alteration, we are likely
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.